Alaska Airlines To Let First Class Passengers Pre-Order Meals

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Alaska Airlines joined American Airlines and Qatar Airways today, announcing that the airline will let First Class passengers on select routes pre-order in-flight meals. The service, known as Pre-Select, will roll out in a select few markets during BETA testing. BETA testing began today, October 10th, and will be phased in on select Alaska Airlines’ routes over time. Pre-Select will only be available for First Class passengers.

(Image: Alaska Airlines)

Pre-Select Eligible Routes

Alaska Airlines selected a few long-haul flights between destinations, mainly on the East Coast and in Florida, and the airline’s Seattle hub. First-round BETA test routes will include flights FROM Seattle while second-round BETA test routes will add flights TO Seattle. Flights from Seattle to the following destinations already feature the new Pre-Select service.

Baltimore

Washington DC (IAD)

Washington DC (DCA)

Fort Lauderdale

Orlando

Tampa

Beginning October 24th, flights from those same cities to Seattle will also offer First Class passengers the ability to pre-order meals. No additional cities will be added in the second-phase of BETA testing.

Alaska Airlines Pre-Select Mobile Ordering

(Image: Alaska Airlines)

(Image: Alaska Airlines)

This is a fantastic addition to Alaska Airlines’ First Class service. I fly longer domestic flights quite often and am no stranger to airlines running out of my first meal choice. Too many times I’ve had to settle for the vegetable lasagna.

Meal reservations can be made as far as two weeks out while the pre-order window closes twenty-four hours before scheduled departure time. This is similar to American Airlines’ pre-ordering system as well. Unfortunately, if you’re hoping to upgrade, you might not be able to take advantage of Pre-Select, assuming you get upgraded at the gate.

What do you think of being able to pre-order meals in premium cabins? What Alaska Airlines’ routes would you like to see added to the BETA test?

Max Prosperi is an aviation management major based out of the Midwest. A freshman in college stuck with the task of receiving an education, he still makes time to fly throughout the world. He’s learned how to maximize earning points and miles, travel cheaply, and fly as a teenager unaccompanied.